Sept. 1, 1900.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
201 
TROPICAL PLANTS IN QUEENSLAND. 
ANNUAL BEPORT FOB THE STATE NUB- 
SEBY, KAMEBUNGA. 
Sir,— I have the honour to submit th? Annual 
Eepoit for the year ending 30 th June, 1899. 
Sugar-cane.— During March I noted that some 
insect appeared to be attacking and damaging the 
cane in two out of the three fields under this pro- 
duct. I at once reported the matter and sent 
specimens to the Department, and Mr. Tyrou pro- 
claimed them to be the cane-borer. Upon this the 
instructions of the Department were prompt to 
destroy the two lipids of cane in which it had been 
found, and to search the other fields carefully. Tlie 
two fields of cane, therefore, have been destroyed 
but hitherto no borer has been observed in the third 
field, though a sharp watch is being kept. 
CiTHUs Family.— Fruit fly seems to be especially 
bad this year, and allows no fruit of the orange 
or lemon trees to ripen; a few only of the ror^h- 
coated lemon have escaped. Bark-splitting is bad 
among the citrus tree.s, and the scale Lecaaiuni lomjuiu 
is to be found on some of the orange-trees. 
Bananas.— The exports from the district lemain 
good, though fruit fly and a species ot>nst are giving 
trouble in the vicinity of the Baron River. A 
supply of good Cavendish banana suckers, free from 
disease, will be kept for distribution. The new 
Guinea varieties have, I understand, been lately 
transplanted, together with the 2Jiisa textihs, to a 
new piece of ground. They have not borne yet this 
'^%ocoi..—Theohroma cacao.— One the old trees bore 
three nods early in the year, from which seed was 
obtained. There being no demand for seed jnst 
then, these were raised in the bush-house, where no 
diflculty was experienced in germinating them. 
There should be a fair supply of seed this coming 
season, the heavy rains having been all in favour of 
the cocoa-trees. 
The effect of an attempt at pruning these trees, 
some time back, has been apparently to stunt their 
growth. Pruning is not generally resorted to, and 
considerably more moisture in the soil and humus 
is necessary for a satisfactory growth than is to be 
had in the present locality of the cocoa-trees in 
the Nnrseiv, 
Mangosteen.— Two trees in the bush house have 
attained a height of 5 feet and 4 feet respectively, 
while those in the open vary from 18 inches to 2 
feet. This is a slow-growing tree, but thrives best 
under much the same conditions as cocoa, needing 
a heavy moist soil rather than a light dry one. The 
fruit, if it can be successfully grown, will probably 
prove both popular and profitable. Its flavour and 
delicacy are unsurpassed, and the fruit, having a 
thick rind or skin, will travel well in cases or even 
sacks for journeys of a week or so. 
Pepper,— Piper »ii^ra?/j.— Pepper in its natural state 
grows on the stems of large and rough-barked trees 
in dense scrub land. It would probably grow readily 
in scrub lands in this vicinity, but it must have 
Bhade. The pepper in this Nursery being out in 
the open, and having only a small stick some 5 feet 
high to cling to, is not growing under sufficiently 
suitable conditions for satisfactory results to be ex- 
pected. The plants seem to take to the soil and 
climatic conditions readily, however, and the growth 
seems as strong and healthy as could be expected. 
Planted under more favourable conditions, its culture 
would probably prove very successful. 
Cloves and Nutmegs.— The soil in this Nursery 
is not suitable for these spices. Better and more 
satisfactory results might be obtained by growing 
these trees on the borders of unfelled scrub, whore 
a certain amount of shade, humus, and leaf-mould 
would be obtained. Such districts as the Lower 
Russell, Daintree, and Bloomfield would appear to 
more nearly approach the cou(?itions of their natural 
babitftt, 
Vanilla. — This orchid seems to grow readily in 
this disstriot. I have met with it in several places 
other than these gardens. The bean is particularly 
va uahle when pioperly cured, though it ia easy to 
spoil its value by improper methods of drying and 
sweating. I have not seen anv vines in bearing yet; 
those in the Nursery are suffering from the attack 
of the green arboreal ants whicli eat away the 
stem close to the ground. The plant does not 
necessarily die when the stem is served, but derives 
its nourishment from the small short roots it puts 
out into the bark of the trees it grows on. It will, 
however, endeavour to get new roots into the ground, 
and will send down long succulent shoots, which 
would form new connections with the soil if not in 
their turn attacked by the ants. While putting all 
its energy into forming root, howe\er, it is natural 
that it will not bear to the same extent as a healthy 
plant, and possibly will not bear nt all. 
Probably artificial fertilization will have to be 
resorted to, and unless the question has already been 
gone into, there will be room for some interesting 
entomological experiments. 
The Piunieria oi Pagoda tree-shade for the vanilla 
orchids in the luusery is insufficient, especially just 
now, when it is shedding its leaves. The trees are 
not tall enough or of large enough girth to give 
sufficient support, nor do tney deposit sufficient leaf 
to form mulch that can retain the moisture. Some 
of ihe vanilla plants are already very near.y to the 
tops of the trees they have been set to grow upon. 
The bark of this shade-tree, moreover, does not give 
sufficient hold for the vanilla, but gives way here 
and there, allowing the orchid to hang in festoons, 
to its own detriment. 
Divi Divi (Cwaalpinia coriaria). — These trees are 
growing well and bearing heavily. The crop is now 
beginning to come in. Cultivation is reduced to a 
minimum with this, and judging by the quantity 
of pods on each tree, it should prove a paying crop. 
Its bulk will, however, be its disadvantage, and 
will be a serious expense if any great amount of 
transport is necessary. 
Coffee (C arabica and G. liherica). — The fie'd of 
coffee that had been planted heie, and was, I am 
given to understand, some three years or more old, 
was rooted out by the late overseer. The few trees 
that have been left along the roadside are poor 
specimens, being neither of a good class, nor in any 
way cultivated, pruned, handled, or topped. The 
few berries on the trees are small, and quite unfit 
for seed. The plants in' the bush-house are of a 
mixed variety, and are one and all too old and 
stunted to make good plants for distribution. I have 
had to refuse applicants for both plants and seed — 
a state of affairs that I hope may be remedied by 
next planting season. 
As I am dealing with this subject separately ia 
another place I will say no more on coffee culture 
here. 
Ceara Rubber {Blanihot Glaziovii). — This tree has 
taken to the district and soil. In the nursery it 
has been become almost a weed. The large trees 
thxt are bearing seed scatter it about and it germi- 
nates readily, even in the middle of footpaths if 
left long enough, Section III., field 1, has been 
planted up with several hundreds of these trees about 
6 feet apart, as well as a portion of field 3 of 
section III., and in a few years, when these trees 
are large enough to be tapped, they should prove 
a fair test of its economic value. There are any 
number of plants and cuttings available for distri. 
bution. 
Paha Rubber, [Ilevea hraziliends) is not doing so 
well as the Ceara. It appears to be considerably 
more delicate and to suffer during dry weather and 
hot winds. The plants are hardly big enough or 
old enough to judge of its possibilities yet. 
Assam Rubber (Incus elastica).— This thrives well 
here and is a most handsome plant. It will, however, 
be a very long time before theve is sulficieut ste«H 
to tap. 
